PomPom Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I know no-one can help me, but I really need to vent my frustration somewhere and perthpoms is a good place to start. My migration agent sent my OH's skills assessment stuff off to ICAA on 27th April. Good news is they picked it up almost straight away. Bad news is they came back with a query (which quite honestly should never have been raised had the Agent collated all the info from us in the first place). Anyway, we then needed to send further supporting information, for which the agency sent on to ICAA last Wednesday (9th May) via DHL. I chased my Agency up yesterday as I hadn't heard anything to which they suggested I got in contact with ICAA directly (they even provided me with the relevant reference to quote). So, I did just that. The lady who responded (it was instantaniously) advised me that she couldn't discuss the status with me as we had engaged a migration agent, but she did say she was still waiting for the documents to arrive from the agent. Firstly I am angry as surely the agency should have known I couldn't speak directly with ICAA (I didn't know this)! Secondly, how long does it take to sent documents via DHL? I am worried now that they may have been lost in transit and they are originals!!!!! In the meantime, we have also started the process of WA State sponsorship. Completed the relevant paperwork to get the ball rolling - but am I correct in saying that this cannot be submitted until we have had the skills assessment back? Frustration Arrrrghhhhh and advise needed Pleeeeeeese Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PomPom Posted May 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 So anyway, I have just read my moan and groan above and realized just how negative it sounds - this is soooo not me! Please forgive me. But.......................... I would be very grateful if anyone could answer the questions within the winge LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gazsmith Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Your agent should of certainly known they wouldn't speak to you as they are your voice! On a lighter note when we posted over to oz we thought the same! We found out later on that the postal address for diac is pooled (Sydney) and had been delivered but the delay was them sending it to the relevant team in Adelaide! Dont give up hope and good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jamjar Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 I hate agents - I never use them as then I only have myself to blame. Hope its goes smoother from here. Do you have to use the agent for the whole process or can you opt out after the skills assessment? The process is not that difficult, you just need to go through everything in detail. Yes you do need the skills assessment at the time of applying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give me a break! Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Cant agree with that my agent was fab and we hit a rocky bit that no one could have predicted and if we didnt have that agent our visa would have been refused so just get a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Life Down Under Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 I hate agents - I never use them as then I only have myself to blame. Hope its goes smoother from here. Do you have to use the agent for the whole process or can you opt out after the skills assessment? The process is not that difficult, you just need to go through everything in detail. Yes you do need the skills assessment at the time of applying.[/quote Hello Jamjar, you have obviously had a bad experience with agents, however it is a shame to generalise on a whole industry. I once had a terrible experience at a vets, who infact eventually caused my dogs premature death, which was devastating. However, I have now changed vets and my new vet is wonderful, basically I am not tarring everyone with the same brush. Many of us agents, are extremely valued by our clients, and appreciated for the efforts we put in. Only last week I received a testimonial from a young Mauritian guy who as he quoted "had always dreamed of having PR in Australia but the pathway to take was always obscure" Many hopeful migrants need a guiding hand and want their application to be hassle free. As the other subscriber put it, many people would not have obtained a visa without their agent. Some people may have had a bad experience, that is disappointing to hear. In Australia we are a highly regulated industry and have to adhere to strict guidelines with regards to how we practice. My advice to anyone looking for an agent is if in Australia only use a MARA registered agent, there are also many of these in the UK, if using an unregistered one in the UK, (you can only become registered if you are an Aussie Citizen or PR) make sure they are reputable. Ask for reccommendations from other migrants and most importantly make sure you and your agent feel comfortable with each other. After all, you will be liaising with each other regularly and you must like each other. Also dont be afraid to ask them plenty of questions, that is what you are paying them for. Sometimes you may be better to pay an initial consultation fee, rather than get a quick bit of free advice. The professional consult gives you the opportunity to start seeing if you havea rapport with your agent and also enables you to find out what they offer for their fees. From an agents point of view, we then know that the client is genuinely looking for professional advice, and personally, I only work with clients I feel comfortable with aswell. One thing that does suprise me on this forum is the number of questions asked by potential migrants who have an agent. Please be assured, if you have appointed an agent, you should not be afraid to ask them questions regarding your application, that is what we are paid to do. But please also remember the time difference if your agent is in Australia as we need our sleep to!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Life Down Under Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Hey Pompom, no worries, visa applications are VERY stressful, I think we all forgive you for your anxieties!!! Yep, the Skilled Migration of WA team will require your skills assessment beofer they can assess your application. Shouldnt be long now, ICAA are great, one of the fastest assessors in the country! When you signed Form 956 that would have given your agent permission to act on your behalf! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz H Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Hi Pom Pom, Just to to add, I have just recieved documents back from oz for my skills assessment, that took 2 weeks longer than expected so don't panic I'm sure it will be fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PomPom Posted May 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Hi Newlifedownunder, Thank you for the feedback. Part of my problem is being completely out of control - but I also wouldn't be without an Agent. Whilst I know I would be more than competent to do the whole application myself, I don't have the time to try and work out what to do (I'm sure you know where I'm coming from). I do wonder is it me who is the problem in this equation? The agent I am using is very reputable, I did tons of research on them and many on PPs recommended them. I appreciate Agents are all under pressure to get things done before the 1st July deadline. Sometimes I am convinced this has been more stressful for me than moving house and getting married - it's a life changing exercise - and the whole process is make or break. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Life Down Under Posted May 16, 2012 Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Hi Newlifedownunder,Thank you for the feedback. Part of my problem is being completely out of control - but I also wouldn't be without an Agent. Whilst I know I would be more than competent to do the whole application myself, I don't have the time to try and work out what to do (I'm sure you know where I'm coming from). I do wonder is it me who is the problem in this equation? The agent I am using is very reputable, I did tons of research on them and many on PPs recommended them. I appreciate Agents are all under pressure to get things done before the 1st July deadline. Sometimes I am convinced this has been more stressful for me than moving house and getting married - it's a life changing exercise - and the whole process is make or break. HI Pompom, you wait till you pack the container, wave goodbye to family, thats when the stress starts!!! This is the easy bit!!!!! But when you arrive in WA it will all be worth it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PomPom Posted May 16, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2012 Hi Gaz, Thank you for the insight. I must admit I feel like April / May has lasted an eternity for us. Our first batch of info was sent end of April (our assessing co-ordinator then went sick!), the second (and hopefully final lot of information) was sent 9th May. They have confirmed receipt this morning - fingers crossed they don't ask for more information!?!?!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.